How the JAMB CBT exam works

The format at a glance

Subjects

Four: Use of English, plus three subjects for the course you want to study

Questions

60 in Use of English and 40 in each other subject, 180 in all

Time

Two hours for all four subjects together

Question type

Multiple choice, with options A to D

Scoring

Each subject out of 100, for a total out of 400

What the CBT screen is like

Each question appears on its own with its options. A countdown timer shows how much time is left for the whole exam, and a question navigator shows the numbers of every question, so you can see which ones you have answered and jump straight to any of them. You can switch between your four subjects at any time and change an answer until you submit.

When you finish, you submit. If time runs out first, what you have answered is submitted for you.

Pacing: about 40 seconds a question

Two hours for 180 questions works out at 40 seconds a question on average. Some will take five seconds and some, like longer calculations, will take two minutes. A few habits help:

• Answer the questions you know first, then come back to the hard ones with the navigator.
• Don't let one question eat your time. Pick your best option, move on and return if there's time.
• Check the timer when you change subjects, so no subject is left with too little time.
• Before you submit, use the navigator to look for any question you haven't answered.

How to prepare

• Know the syllabus. JAMB only sets questions on the topics in its syllabus, so use it as your checklist.
• Practise past questions. The same ideas come up year after year. Try some for each subject.
• Practise on a timer. Knowing the answer isn't enough if it takes too long. Timed practice builds the speed the exam needs.
• Fix your weak topics. After each practice, look at which topics cost you marks and study those next.